Two-Time Stanley Cup Champion Joins San Jose's Revamped Defense

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The San Jose Sharks have come to terms with former New Jersey defenseman Colin White on a one-year contract reported to be worth around $1 million.

The White signing brings another level of toughness and grit to the Sharks defensive troops that will also have newcomers Brent Burns and Jim Vandermeer this year.

Ottawa Senators' Colin Greening is checked by New Jersey Devils' Colin White (5) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, March 17, 2011, in Ottawa. Ottawa won 3-1. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Fred Chartrand)

“Colin is a tough, veteran defenseman who has two Stanley Cups on his resume,” said Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson. “He plays a physical style of hockey and is an excellent penalty killer who's known for his strong leadership qualities. You can never have enough quality defensemen.”

White has very similar views on what he will bring to California.

“I think I can come in and play my game, which is a physical game,” White said. “I can help out on the penalty kill and just compliment the crew that's already in place. I think they have a great blueline. The Stanley Cup teams that I’ve been on had big, tough defenses. I see a lot of similarities to those teams.”

White was bought out from his Devils contract earlier this week and quickly moved when San Jose came calling.

“I was very excited when San Jose and my agent were talking,” White said. “We started talking about the team there and the chance they have and the veterans they have. I thought it was a really good fit and it just worked out from there.”

White had a few other suitors, but nothing got as serious as San Jose.

“This was a no-brainer for us,” White said. “We looked at their last couple of seasons and their acquisitions this year. I just felt it was a good veteran group. I see all kinds of opportunities there and I love the situation.”

White said the Devils were up front about their personnel situation and he wasn't caught off guard by what transpired.

“It wasn’t such a big surprise (that the Devils were moving forward),” White said. “I’d been there my whole career and had a lot of good times there. I’ve been in New Jersey for 15 years. It will be different, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

New Jersey Devils' Colin White, right, checks San Jose Sharks' Ryane Clowe, left, as Devils' Jason Arnott helps out during the first period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

White, 33, had spent his entire career with New Jersey. In 11 seasons and 743 games with the Devils, he posted 125 points (20 goals, 105 assists), 848 penalty minutes and a plus-79.

He'll be like a rookie coming into Sharks training camp this year. White has never played with anyone on the roster.

“I haven’t played with anybody on that team in my career,” White said. “Pretty much every other team in the League, I’ve played with somebody. It will be a little different. I’m a little nervous, but excited at the same time for a fresh start.”

Instead of uprooting his family, White will keep them in their current home and fly solo in San Jose.

“My family will be staying in New Jersey,” White said. “They’ll be coming out to visit here and there.”

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound native of New Glascow, Nova Scotia appeared in 111 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the Devils, where he added 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) and 125 penalty minutes. White also won two Stanley Cups (2000 and 2003) with the Devils.

He was originally selected by the Devils in the second round (49th overall) of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft.

White will see his old team in San Jose’s fifth game of the season when Team Teal visits Newark on Oct. 21.